Effects of Low-Voltage Pulsed Magnetic Field and Pouring Temperature on Solidified Structure of Al-4.5%Cu Alloy

Abstract

The solidified structure refinement of Al-4.5%Cu under the action of low-voltage pulsed magnetic field (LVPMF) was investigated in the paper. The influences of different pulse voltage and pouring temperature on solidified structure of Al-4.5%Cu alloy were studied. The results show that solidified structure of Al-4.5%Cu alloy can be refined greatly by LVPMF processing. The dendrite growth is restrained and the microstructure is changed from larger dendrite grains to smaller nondendritic grains, and with certain parameters, the equiaxed, non-dendritic grains are gained in the alloy. With the increase of pulse voltage, grain size of the alloy decreases, and the primary phase degrades from developed dendrites into rose-like or spherical crystals. The decrease of pouring temperature enhances the refinement effect of LVPMF processing. With 150 V pulse magnetic field treatment, grain size of the alloy decreases, primary phase degrades and refines gradually with the decrease of pouring temperature.